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PROLOGUE
Xander
Thirteen Years Ago
"Babbo, I want to go with you. Why do I have to stay with these people? They are not la famiglia!" I grab hold of his suit jacket, and he rips my hands off before he leans down and gets right into my face. His eyes are a dark brown color that somehow reminds me of the mud that surrounds our grape orchard.
"You will go with them because I say so, boy!" He hisses at me and pushes me back slightly, "I don't have time to groom you the way you need to be groomed. It doesn't matter how old you are. Everyone in this family has a part to play.
You have a part to play just like the rest of us, Alexander. The Gerard family owe us a debt, and they will house you and treat you as one of their own for payment. You will respect them as one of your own as well. Whatever Mr. Gerard tells you to do, you handle it like the respectful man you are being raised to be. I'll have more for you to do as time progresses, but right now, all you will do is what you are told. Do this and make me proud." He stands up tall and jerks his head to the side to send me on my way.
There are no words of love or when he'll be back to pick me up. Just be good, and off you go.
I'm seven, but I've already seen more in the office of my father's home than any other child my age. My father is a boss. He is feared by many in Tuscany as well as in the US. All I ever wanted to do was to be like him, and if it means that I must live with another family first to prove to him that I can do what he asked, I will do so. I'll make him proud, and one day when he's ready, he'll call me home, and we can all be a family again.
* * *
Ten years ago...
"Babbo." My eyes go wide as I come in from the car to see my birth father sitting in the living room with my guardians. I hadn't seen or heard from him in years, and part of me had thought he'd forgotten all about me.
"Son, I see you've grown nice and strong. I'm happy for that.'" My father gets up from his seat, but I don't move in his direction. The small smile that was once playing on his lips drop, and in its place is a sneer. "Is that how you greet your blood?" He hisses at me, and I quickly rush over to where he is. I grab his hand and kiss the ring on his knuckle before he bends down and kisses both of my cheeks. "Sorry, father, I was shocked." It's the only excuse that I can come up with.
"That's fine. It's been a while, but I wanted to come by and make sure that you haven't forgotten who you are loyal to."
"Of course not, you and our family. The Bianucci's'." I answer quickly. I'd never forget something like that.
"That's what I want to hear. You've spent the last three years in school and getting your education, but now I have more that you need to do. I need you trained to be a ghost. I need you to be one of us. Zachiael seems to believe that you are ready to take the next step. He says you learn quickly and are steady in your morals."
I turn to look at the man who has been playing my father for the past few years, and he gives me a slight nod.
"Yes, I am, father."
"Good, then it's time we take your training to the next level. I'm going to put you on a mission. One only you can complete."
"What is it?" Finally, I was going to get a chance to prove to my father and the rest of my family that I was more than just a child. I was a Bianucci and belonged with them.
"I need you to make a friend..."
CHAPTERONE
Xander
"I'm so mad you left me hanging like that last night. I was so hot for you. Promise I'll get to come on that cock tonight." Lisa whispers in my ear as the professor drones on and on about social media's effects on the stock market.
"Act like a good girl for the rest of the day, and maybe I'll see you tonight," I whisper.
"Mr. Gerard, is there something that you want to share with the class?' The teacher yells over the entire lecture hall.
"No, sir, I Just was discussing with Lisa here how hard this subject actually is," I say with a lot of emphasis on the word hard that gets Lisa to give me a sexy little giggle.
"If it's so hard, you should pay attention, and then it wouldn't be so difficult for you to grasp. Eyes front Xander." The teacher says and then turns back to look at the board.
I chuckle and turn it in the direction of Mel. She glances over her shoulder at me and shakes her head like she always does. Except this time, she turns back and starts talking to Matteo. At least, I think that's his name. What the fuck is he doing talking to her? Doesn't he know better?
"So what time tonight..."
I raise my hand up to stop Lisa from talking to me. I don't have anything more to say to her. What I'm focused on right now is why this fucking piece of shit thinks it's okay to talk to Mel.
